Category Archives: Experiences

What is the one thing you will NEVER be able to win in a competition? I will leave you to ponder that for a moment.

For years I’ve been intrigued about comping groups, days where compers get together to discuss there hobby, exchange entry forms, and generally have a bit of fun. Well back in March I attended my first ever meeting of The LCC, (London Competitors’ Club).

Spotting a tweet out about the day from the very lovely Jane Willis, also an avid comper whom many of you will know from her grapevine blog, I decided to try it out.

A room full of compers at the LCC.

So, did you make a guess? What is the one thing compers can NEVER win?

Well ‘time’ of course! Although I have truly wished for more hours in the day over the past few months. I’ve moved to a new area, embarked on a different career, and am (still)! redecorating. Comping and blogging have sadly taken a back seat. But I thought I’d write a post about this experience as coming up on Saturday 28th June 2014 will be another meeting.

I had no idea what to expect at all when I attended the last one, but I was immediately greeted by friendly faces and guided through the day by the more experienced members. We had a number of fun quizzes, an opportunity to exchange entry forms, a raffle, tea and cake – and of course opportunity to exchange winning experiences. I went from nervously attending to having lots of fun within the space of 5 minutes, so I am duly converted and keenly looking forward to the next meet up!

The LCC isn’t closed to those people living in London, it is open to anyone who wishes to attend. I saw it as an opportunity for a day out in the big smoke and cheekily before the meeting squeezed in a visit to the Ideal Home Exhibition. (I had of course won tickets)! I was again a first time attendee, and again would love to return. Here I am with a couple of bargains I snapped up.

Visiting the Ideal Home Show with FREE tickets!

Well I had better get back to the decorating! But hope this post has inspired you to search for a comping group in your local area. Like everything in life, comping is best enjoyed with friends. Be lucky x

The last few weeks have been very chaotic as myself and Mr Wills have been moving home. The place we moved to needs a lot of work, not heavy duty building. But everything needs a good scrub and (more than a few) licks of paint! I’m feeling in a ‘nesting’ mood as I have in my life been inclined to be a little nomadic, so I’m very busy trying to source just the right pieces of furniture at the right price. This is William settling in on the new leather corner sofa, purchased from a private seller on Gumtree for just £250. Bargain!

William settling in nicely!

So my apologies for the lack of posts during this busy time in my life. Luckily I haven’t hit a dry spell yet, even though I’ve only been comping for one or two hours a week since the move. I think my hard work and extra hours before is carrying me through! The biggest value prize since my last winspiration post was 2 tickets to the opera and a signed limited edition print worth £300. I also had one of those rare, but extremely welcome days, when the wins just keep coming. It was the week before my radio interview. Three wins from twitter: A £40 Voucher to spend at Giraffe, a beautiful bracelet from Beaverbrooks – also worth £40, and £50 in vouchers to spend in a local shopping centre…… and then on facebook: A breakfast in bed hamper, (muffins, jams, teas, coffee etc), from Bishops Move worth £30. So a very good day, wish all comping days were like that!

On Instagram the very next morning I had a fab win of a pair of GHDs worth £145. My other wins since the last post have been smaller items. But I’m still very happy this year, I’ve already reached over £2500 in prize value with over 9 months of comping left, woo hoo!

If you read my blog regularly you will know that experiences are prizes that especially appeal to me. I enjoy doing ‘different’ things, seeing new places, eating lovely food, and often being inspired. From a simple RT on twitter over the Christmas Advent period I won a Falconry experience for two at Coniston Hotel, in a very beautiful part of the world near Skipton. The prize was especially appealing as it included lunch to the value of £50.

I had no idea what to expect on the day, (except cold weather which didn’t let me down)! But I had the most fabulous time. I learned about the birds from a very experienced guide, and we got to handle an Owl, Harris Hawk…….. and a Golden Eagle. I think we were very lucky as this isn’t normally part of the day. There were a mixture of people on the experience, some who were thinking of taking up falconry, to others like myself who really just wanted to get closer to a bird of prey than normally allows. I have to say I was a bit nervous when the Eagle, (with a wing span of 6ft), swooped down at me. But afterwards I felt exhilarated.

If you do the experience please remember to wrap up warm. Standing out on a hillside for a few hours, in the English Countryside, in March, is freezing! But when the eagle landed it was soon forgotten, and then we headed off to spend our £50 on lunch. The hotel was superbly furnished with a splendid view in the dining room. We were led to a reserved table, and have to say the food and service could not be faulted. It was really a great day. And yes I did have a starter, main AND dessert!

I hope this post gives you winning inspiration. Please do share with me your wins on facebook, twitter or even instagram….. its great to hear your winning ways also!

January has been a busy month for me trying to fit in a number of wins from the festive season. Last week I had an amazing time at Topshop. I won a like and share competition on Facebook from a Leeds pub, The Botanist, to attend a personal shopper experience in the new shopping centre there, Trinity Leeds.

I was greeted by fedora wearing Lauren in the chicly styled white leather suite reserved for these appointments. Champagne in hand I was led to a room which had outfit after outfit specially selected for me, (as I had communicated with Lauren previously my fashion inspirations). I felt like a celebrity and Lauren was just amazing, she exactly had my style, gave me some useful tips, and picked out key looks for the season to keep me up-to-date in the fashion stakes! This is why I love my hobby as I don’t think I would have booked in for something like this, but it was really worthwhile and I recommend Lauren without a doubt.

Next I had a completely free night in London, (except for the trainfare to get me there). Both wins on twitter advent giveaways. The first being £50 to spend in Gourmet Burger Kitchen, from the N1 centre in Islington. I love there burgers but sadly as we had to eat later as well, (the hardship), we spent the prize on chips and prosecco. Must be the northerner in me! Their sweet potato fries are especially delicious I have to say.

Then for a mad dash on the tube as we headed for Piccadilly Circus. We walked towards Leicester Square and the venue Cafe de Paris. I’ve previously enjoyed some fun-filled nights in this establishment, dancing away ’til the early hours. A well-known nightclub it now opens its doors earlier for cabaret shows throughout the week. You can watch the show for a very reasonable price, but lucky us had the VIP dining package. We ate a splendid 3 course meal, shared a bottle of champagne, and had front row seats for the entertaining performance from the London Cabaret Society. Singers, comedians, burlesque dancers, fire-eaters, magicians and more, if you enjoy something a little risqué this show is definitely for you. I loved it and what a fabulous night out in London!

Fire Eating at Cafe de Paris, London.

Next week I have to try to squeeze in taking my car to a local garage for a full valet, it’s the premium service and costs £45 normally so I’m looking forward to having my car just like new! So with these experiences out-of-the-way I can get on with winning some more to enjoy later in the year. As you can probably tell eating out, and attending events and experiences, are prizes that especially appeal to me.

If you follow me on Facebook you will know I’ve had my first BIG win of the year. A Surface Pro 2 from Currys PC World, worth £799. I’m especially pleased with this win as it is my first ever on Pinterest, an easy repin to win. It’s inspired me to keep entering competitions on that platform. Something about firsts this month as I also had my first ever Instagram win, a Calvin Klein iPad case from Superdrug – for which I simply had to like their status. From Virgin Experiences I won a meal for 2 with wine at Brasserie Blanc by leaving a comment on a Facebook post. Very pleased with my wins so far this year totally over £1200.

Don’t agree with voting competitions as a rule – but this one from Expedia has an exceedingly good prize to win a pair of first class plane tickets! Would be much appreciated if you could give me a vote, (and if you enter please comment below and I’ll return the favour). Thanks in advance; http://goo.gl/mnsqQF